India, Malaysia reveal low-sulfur gasoline timelines

Two Asian countries have confirmed timelines for the implementation of higher grades of lower-sulfur gasoline. India has established a committee to ensure that by April 2010, Euro-IV gasoline will be available in 13 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Agra, Solapur, and Lucknow, while Euro-III gasoline will be available throughout most of the country. However, delays in refinery upgrades in Barauni, Guwahati and Digboi will prevent Euro-III gasoline from being sold in certain parts of Bihar and northeast India.The rest of the country will be able to upgrade from Euro-II gasoline in 2010. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, government officials said that 95 RON gasoline grade would be available after September 1, 2009.This will replace the 92 RON gasoline currently available in the country. It also intends to have Euro-II compliant gasoline and diesel, known as 2M fuel, available throughout Malaysia by September. (April 13/12, 2009)